Central African Republic -  Following the successful implementation of IOM’s ongoing “Community Stabilization and Early Recovery for at-risk Communities in Bangui” project, the European Union (EU) has said that it will provide another EUR 10 million to expand the project to four of the most challenging communities in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Ndele, Bambari, Kaga-Bandoro and Boda all saw very high levels of inter-communal violence over the course of 2014, as well as new violence and displacement in early 2015. This arose from ongoing conflicts between factions, as well as longstanding conflicts with pastoralist movements.

The new, 18-month “SIRIRI - Community Stabilization and Early Recovery for at-risk Communities in CAR” project aims to address some root causes of this inter-communal violence. It will be implemented in close coordination with the local and national authorities, particularly the Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Ministry of Plan.

Through cash for work activities, paired with on-the-job training opportunities and business start-up training, over 40,000 youth at risk and other vulnerable community members will be able to start livelihood-generating activities.

The project will encourage the development of a dialogue structure between the authorities and community members by facilitating 25 community-based infrastructure rehabilitation projects, which will increase access to basic services and facilitate a return of local administration to remote regions.

Torsten Haschenz, IOM Chief of Mission in the Central African Republic, said: “Dialogue is not an option. It is a precondition for progress. While we cannot force communities to engage with each other, we can provide incentives. The peace process takes time.” 

He added: “The continued support by the European Union is helping to build a favourable and strong environment for at-risk communities and gives people the means to work hand in hand. IOM will work closely and actively with local stakeholders to facilitate their social cohesion.”

The project, which has been implemented successfully in Bangui, was able to facilitate access for over 11,000 beneficiaries to cash-for-work rotations in an often challenging environment.

By facilitating dialogue between community members as an integral part of the project methodology, the cash-for-work rotations have been able to contribute to the fostering of a sense of community and solidarity in some of the most volatile areas of the country.

The project has also been able to actively engage with youth at risk of recruitment by various armed groups. According to the Mayor of Bangui’s 3rd district, Aladji Balla Dodo: “The IOM project provides youth with a meaningful and legal way to gain a livelihood and to start a new life. It has run peacefully for the past 12 months, enabling youth from different communities to see that there is nothing to fear from each other and that it is possible not only to live peacefully side by side, but to jointly redevelop our community.”

The project has supported the rehabilitation of a hospital maternity wing, a conference hall, a special needs school, security walls for a school, several access bridges and a social centre.

IOM encourages civil society to actively take charge of facilitating positive communal experiences through the provision of technical and financial assistance for sports and cultural events, including football matches, conferences, trainings, concerts and theatre performances.

The community stabilization programme is closely linked to IOM’s ongoing emergency response and displacement tracking approach, under the umbrella of the IOM co-led Camp Coordination Camp Management (CCCM) cluster. Information provided through IOM’s displacement tracking matrix (DTM) informs return strategies and preparation of return communities.

IOM is also engaged, in close coordination with MINUSCA peacekeepers and relevant government entities, in community violence reduction programming in so-called “hot spots.” This includes community policing focusing on protection and combating sexual and gender-based violence.

Needs in the Central African Republic remain very high, both in terms of humanitarian assistance and transition to long-term development. IOM is preparing to support the transitional government through a pilot integrated border management project in 2015. This will determine the framework for the management of mixed migration flows, including pastoralist movements – one of the core sources of conflict in CAR, as well as combating counter-trafficking.

For further information please contact Torsten Haschenz at IOM CAR, Email: thaschenz@iom.int, Tel.: +23672187639.